Loews Corporation Partners with Volunteers of America-Greater New York for 2023 Operation Backpack® Campaign

Today, Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) announced Loews Corporation has signed on to become a supporting partner for this year’s Operation Backpack^® campaign which aims to connect every child living in a New York City homeless shelter with a new backpack and the grade-specific school supplies they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Loews Corporation has been supporting VOA-GNY and Operation Backpack^® since 2017, and this year marks their greatest contribution to the organization, totaling $65,000.

This year’s gift comes at a time when family homelessness is rising, meaning more families than ever will soon face the daunting expense of school supplies—an expense that many simply cannot afford. About 23,000 students experiencing homelessness will need backpacks and school supplies this year, which is 53 percent more than last year. Educational resources, including school supplies, can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and play a critical role in higher rates of homework completion, class participation and, ultimately, graduation.

In addition to supporting Operation Backpack^®, Loews Corporation contributes to VOA-GNY’s annual holiday drive and, for the second year, has adopted one of the organization’s shelters for families recovering from domestic violence, helping fulfill program needs year-round. This allows program staff to fill in the gaps not covered by government contracts including purchasing essential items like strollers, diapers, formula, baby food, and baby wipes, so families can maintain both their health and dignity. Loews Corporation also provides birthday and Mother’s Day gifts for the mothers and children to help lift spirits.

“VOA-GNY is grateful to everyone at Loews Corporation for their generosity and support of VOA-GNY over the past six years,” said Ericia Antoine, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Engagement & Special Events at VOA-GNY. “Support for Operation Backpack^® has never been more vital to our ability to follow through on our commitment to ensuring every child experiencing homelessness in New York City has the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year.”

VOA-GNY depends on its supporters, like Loews Corporation, for Operation Backpack^®, and the need for support is greater than ever before. VOA-GNY launched Operation Backpack^® in 2003 as an effort to collect school supplies for the children living in its own shelters and has since grown to become the largest back-to-school drive in New York City. In the two decades since its founding, more than 250,000 children have received backpacks and school supplies through the campaign.

Learn more about this year's campaign and how you can get involved.